Leave a Review MapleRead SE
Only epub reader that meets all my needs plus more
I wanted a reader that would let me import epubs, read with font+layout+colors customizations, and provide good text to speach for when listening feels easier than actually reading. This app executes on these things solidly. I can't remember what I paid for this app, but it doesn't feel like I paid enough given its high quality.
One thing I didn't realize I wanted to have at the time, was the ability to easily import books from calibre. This app even autodetects your local calibre server. Additionally, the app lets you turn your iphone library into a server to sync books to other services.
I'm not sure why this app doesn't get more 5 star reviews, but it should. Thanks for making such a great product.Show lessSteven7600
Second best in a dozen is still pretty good
This app isn’t the best on the App Store, or my first choice, but it is a strong second, and looking for something to replace Marvin 3, it feels like this might be the only app of the bunch with a real shot at replacing it if given enough to get caught up in features.
The good:
- highly customizable. Marvin 3 users will recognize a lot of things they love.
- Active development.
- Lots of solid features already.
The bad:
- Missing a lot of features that would otherwise make it great such as auto-scrolling or updating your progress on Goodreads.
- The interface could use a rethink. Many of the menus and locations for features could be better thought through. Developer should consider brushing up on best UX design practices.
- Not the prettiest app on the market.
The Ugly:
- For some reason, you have to register an account with them in order to add books to your library, even locally.
- The app does not make use of iOS’s local file explorer. This means that it can be a great hassle for users to add books into their library as you’ll have to go outside of the app to do so locally, or frustratingly, re-sign in to other external services that otherwise might already be attached and signed into your file explorer, such as Google Drive.Show lessDrewsefer
Developer Response
As for your "ugly" comments, please read our online FAQ, especially "What do I need a Maplepop account for?" and "What is the best way to import books from Dropbox and other cloud drives?".Almost perfect
I just wanted a basic reader that actually worked, showed 2 columns in landscape, didn’t skew the words halfway off the page, decent font selection, and most of all keep track of where you are in the book when you turn off the iPad. You’d be surprised how many reader apps don’t do these basic things. Why doesn’t the iPad version have the “status bar always on” option? The iPhone version does have this option. I like to see the clock and battery while reading without having to tap in the center to see it and then tap again to go back to reading.Show lessfab5friend
Developer Response
Q. "Why doesn’t the iPad version have the “status bar always on” option? " A. You've got it now in version 5.3. Enjoy!Finally? Yes, finally.
I've been searching for a successor to the Marvin series of e-reader apps FOREVER. How obsessed am I with finding this app? I haven't updated my iPad in over a year for fear that Marvin will no longer open. Marvin isn't in the app store anymore. It was accidentally deleted on a couple of my devices and I can never get it back. There have been many contenders. This is it. Does it have everything Marvin has? No. The customization isn't as advanced. Dev, if you're reading this, I have so many screenshots and notes detailing the things Marvin was capable of in terms of customization. I'll share them with you. The background color wheel is a nice touch, but I wish it had a color picking tool as well to copy colors outside the app. BookFusion has this. This app will now be my go-to. You have no idea what this means coming from me. I still have Marvin, Marvin3, and Marvin SXS on my iPad. But I will be using this app. Only one slight bug I notice -when I slide over to another app and return to MapleReader, my book has closed! This is a major annoyance, but easily fixed.Show lessUPSY42q
Developer Response
Make sure the switch "Auto-Open Last Book Read" in still turned ON in System Settings | MapleRead SE.Finally? Yes, finally.
I've been searching for a successor to the Marvin series of e-reader apps FOREVER. How obsessed am I with finding this app? I haven't updated my iPad in over a year for fear that Marvin will no longer open. Marvin isn't in the app store anymore. It was accidentally deleted on a couple of my devices and I van never get it back.
There have been many contenders. This is it. Does it have everything Marvin has? No. The customization isn't as advanced. Dev, if you're reading this, I have so many screenshots and notes detailing the things Marvin was capable of in terms of customization. I'll share them with you. The background color wheel is a nice touch, but I wish it had a color picking tool as well to copy colors outside the app. BookFusion has this.
This app will now be my go-to. You have no idea what this means coming from me. I still have Marvin, Marvin3, and Marvin SXS on my iPad. But I will be using this app. Only one slight bug I notice -when I slide over to another app and return to MapleReader, my book has closed! This is a major annoyance, but easily fixed.Show lessDeveloper Response
Make sure the switch "Auto-Open Last Book Read" in still turned ON in System Settings | MapleRead SE.Best iOS and PadOS reader I’ve ever had
Been using this app for years to read epub and PDFs with all the features I could ever want and easy to connect to Calibre to transfer books. I literally can’t think of any suggestions for improvement other than the recent update has removed the smaller UI scaling size I had before. If that could be re-implemented I would be so grateful. Thank you for continuing to update and develop this app! 💗
Update: UI scaling back with full settings like before! Very responsive developer. Thank you!Show lessrelayer250
Developer Response
No problem. Smaller UI Text Size values are back in v5.0.1. Thanks.Love the new audio-book feature!
I am so excited that I can now listen to my favorite books! Any EPUB book can now become an audio book. How amazing! Thanks for adding this feature! Now I am listening while driving, exercising, etc. Just so useful!
I love that there are many high quality voices you can download through the System Settings (Accessibility | Spoken Content). I suggest you download the Enhanced or Premium voices whenever available. They are very good quality and often exceed expectations. (My favorite voices are Nathan Enhanced and Samantha Enhanced.)
Compare to many costly subscription-based reader apps (with much less features), this pay-once-only app is really a great deal. I’ve seen reader apps come and gone, or become abandonware. This app has been around for years and still being actively maintained and improved.
Highly recommend.Show lesscramboo67
Developer Response
Thank you very much for your nice and knowledgable review! We really appreciate it.Best iOS and PadOS reader I’ve ever had
Been using this app for years to read epub and PDFs with all the features I could ever want and easy to connect to Calibre to transfer books. I literally can’t think of any suggestions for improvement other than the recent update has removed the smaller UI scaling size I had before. If that could be re-implemented I would be so grateful. Thank you for continuing to update and develop this app! 💗Show lessDont spend your money
Its too hard to get it back! I have been unableto move books from my computer to this app. The instructions have not been update for years (iTunes is no longer used to manage files on a device). I finally found books in a folder called iTunes, and they couldnt be opened or moved. I do not want to use the web-not all of us have easy access. I was hoping for a replacement for marvin, but it looks like I just wont update my ios ever againShow lessosthill
Developer Response
We are really confused by your description of the problem. Please contact support by email if you really need help.Love it! Except…
I was looking to replace Marvin Ereader which I’ve loved but now is no longer updated. MapleRead has all those features and I absolutely love it. It is top notch! The only reason I give it four stars is that it does not sync very well for me. It is inconsistent and a little confusing. Sometimes it does a perfect job and other times it doesn’t pick up the right place from the other device. It’s gotten frustrating for me, so that is my only complaint. Otherwise I would highly recommend getting this app.Show lessmhk1999
